Prince Harry celebrates 21st early in Botswana

Sep 7, 2005, 13:53 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry has been celebrating his 21st birthday by partying on a houseboat in Botswana.

The prince, his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and 14 of their friends have been enjoying a water safari - complete with cans of beer, cigarettes and loud music.

The young royal and his friends are staying on the Kubu Queen, a two-storey wooden houseboat on the Okavango Delta.

A crew member told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "They're having the time of their lives. We've provided extra supplies of beer and spirits for this trip.

"Harry is the life and soul of the party. They've been playing rock music at full blast, drinking, laughing and having a great time."

The young prince does not turn 21 until September 15, but is making the most of his holiday because his father, Prince Charles, has reportedly banned him from throwing a wild party back in England.

Charles is keen for his son to stay out of trouble, and has limited him to a low-key gathering of close friends and family.

A friend of Harry said: "Harry loves a good party and is very frustrated that his father has forbidden him from holding his own."

Harry flew into Botswana during a break from training at Army base Sandhurst and his 19-year-old girlfriend is on holiday from university in Cape Town, South Africa.

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International